ESCANABA - In an effort to be healthy and raise awareness about animal welfare, a cross-country bicycle trip brought an inspiring young man and his dog to Escanaba this week.
David Sylvester, 26, and his dog, Chiva, 3, embarked on their bicycle journey from Seattle, on March 13. The two have since logged in 3,800 miles in nine states.
Sylvester and Chiva arrived Sunday in Escanaba where they've been staying at the home of Jan and Dick Langley for a few days.
After working two years as a vaccine scientist for the Bill and Melinda Gates Grand Challenge Project in Seattle, Sylvester decided to bicycle in the United States and parts of Canada to raise animal welfare awareness.
"I wanted to have an adventurous lifestyle," Sylvester said Monday morning from the Langley front yard. "With animals, I wanted to raise awareness of challenges animal shelters across the country face."
Along the route, Sylvester and Chiva have also been raising funds for animal shelters. Sylvester toured the Delta County Animal Shelter and presented a $200 donation Monday, said Becky Vandermissen, animal control officer.
The needs of the local shelter include building maintenance, dealing with pet overpopulation, making owners aware of the need to spay and neuter their pets, and vaccinations, she said. The shelter has received generous donations of pet foods and other supplies from the community, but continues to need more volunteers, Vandermissen said.
Sylvester said he found Chiva at an animal shelter in Delaware where he is originally from, he said. The female dog - a mixed breed of German shepherd, huskey, boxer and chow - rides in a dog trailer pulled behind Sylvester's bike.
In addition to properly caring for pets and animals in general, Sylvester is also inspiring others to live their life to the fullest and also care for the environment.
"It's all about staying happy and healthy, too," he said.
Sylvester also has a personal goal during his journey - to stop and hike at the highest elevations in each state. According to his Web site - www.tourdedog - the goal of Tour de Dog is "to become the first canine/human best friend team to bike to and climb all 48 lower state high points."
Sylvester and Chiva will bike next to animal shelters in Schoolcraft and Luce counties. His manager arranges for him to stay at local residences or tent at local shelters. Sylvester also does presentations about his trip to those interested.
From Escanaba, the team is headed to Toronto, Brooklyn, N.Y., and Delaware.
"There's no ending point right now," Sylvester said, predicting his trip could last two years. "I'm just loving the lifestyle on the road," he added, saying the trip has been "dynamic and entertaining."
"There's been so many helpful people taking care of us," Sylvester said. "It renews my faith in humankind."
